The Ponder Parallel

When it was all said and done, Christian Ponder’s rookie campaign left us with more questions than answers. There were promising moments that seemingly justified the Vikings’ bold decision to select him No. 12 in the 2011 NFL draft, essentially anointing him the future of the franchise. Conversely, there were far too many instances where Ponder made Tarvaris Jackson look poised, accurate and durable. At this point, all we know is that it will be Ponder—not Joe Webb, Peyton Manning or Robert Griffin III—under center for Minnesota when the 2012 season kicks off.

Click here to read the rest of the story at Bleacher Report.

The "Pek"ing Order

By Joey Cavalier

Timberwolves fans have a lot to be excited about. The passing ninja that is Ricky Rubio, the development of Kevin Love, and an improved team defense have the fan base in a state of positivity and hope. But perhaps the most underrated storyline to this season has been the emergence of the Montenegrin center, Nikola Pekovic.

If there was such thing as a “NBA Bar Fight Draft,” Pekovic would be a lock as a top 3 pick. The European is listed at 6’11, 290 lbs. He’s got wicked ink, he looks like a hammerhead shark, runs like a duck, and plays like a bull. In his second season, “Pek” is emerging as a viable option at a position that has troubled the Wolves for nearly a decade. The Wolves haven’t had a capable center since the days of Rasho Nesterovic; and he wasn’t exactly greatness at the center position.

The Timberwolves drafted Pekovic in 2008 with the 31^st overall selection. He was widely considered a top ten pick at the time, but his contract situation caused him to slide into the second round. Pek finally made his debut with the Wolves last season, averaging 5.5 PTS, and 3 REB in 13.6 minutes per game. In limited playing time, Pekovic flashed potential, but didn’t play well enough to be viewed as a legitimate option at the center position.

Now, in his second season, Pekovic is flashing his talents nightly, and beginning to show the league why he was considered a top ten talent. In the Wolves’ last seven games, he has averaged 14.1 PTS, 9.3 REB (5.4 of those being offensive rebounds), and 26.35 minutes per game. During this stretch he has shot 63% from the field, and 73% from the free throw line. Pekovic has been solid, and is showing that he is capable of playing alongside of Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love in the starting lineup.

Pekovic has been a major factor in the Timberwolves ascent to .500. It is clearer than ever that Darko Milicic is not the long-term answer for this team at center. Given his size and skill-set, Pekovic has a chance to step up and play a crucial role on this team.

Let’s take a look at the things Pekovic does well:

Offensive Glass- Pekovic has been a beast on the offensive glass. In the last seven games, he has averaged 5.4 ORB per game! Over the course of the season, he is averaging 3.3 ORB (and that’s with only playing an average of 18.9 minutes per game), while Darko is only averaging a meager 1.5 ORB per game in a similar amount of playing time. In his strength, Pekovic establishes position near the rim, and understands where he needs to be when Wes Johnson is clanking his shots off of the back of the rim.

Offensive Efficiency- Pekovic has been very efficient offensively. He is shooting 61% from the field on the season. Also, he is bullying his way to the free-throw line, and is shooting 73% from the stripe. But the thing that is most impressive about Pek, is his ability to play with his back to the hoop. He is great in the low post, he knows where he is on the court, and knows the right move to make to get to the basket for an easy shot. He attacks the rim (unlike Darko) and provides the nasty scoring that this team needs. Unlike Pekovic, Darko is not very efficient offensively. He is currently shooting 43% from the field, and 45% from the free throw line. He has a habit of getting lost on the floor and heaving up a series of bad shots. Darko doesn’t possess the quality of offense or the consistency that this team needs from the center position.

Running the Floor- When Pek runs up and down the floor, one cannot help but laugh at how painfully awkward he looks. However, he runs the floor very well. He may look like he has webbed feet, yet he is displaying above average speed, and the type of hustle needed to get to the other end of the court. Also, his quickness and hustle has allowed him to excel in the Wolves’ pick-and-roll offense. Darko is certainly athletic enough to run the floor well, but his lack of motivation is clear, and in turn his quickness and hustle suffers.

Toughness- Ever since the Kevin Garnett era, the Wolves frontcourt has been about as soft as a bag of cotton balls. Pek contributes a gritty, physical style of play. Sometimes it gets him into foul trouble, but overall, that is what you ask for out of your center. Defensively, he is able to hold his own. He doesn’t block a lot of shots, but he is strong enough to keep players out of the paint and is quick enough to defend players away from the basket. In contrast, Darko is not a very “tough” player. He can block shots, but he lets way too many players waltz into the paint for easy buckets. And overall, Darko does not have the attitude of toughness that Pekovic possesses.

Pekovic could have a very bright future in this league. Obviously, he will never be in the same category as Dwight Howard or Andrew Bynum. But if he continues to improve, he will be a force to be reckoned with. It is time for the Timberwolves to move on from Darko (aka “Manna from Heaven”) Milicic and give Pek the starting job. He definitely has the skill-set and the upside to prosper as a starting center in this league.

Gopher Puck Talk

By Jason Rossow of GopherTailgate.com

The Gopher Men’s Hockey team finds themselves in a position that is expected, but haven’t seen in five years…..leading the WCHA in February.  The Gophers have four series left and take a three point lead into the home stretch. 

Don Lucia will coach his 1,000^th game on Saturday night in Denver, and is still building his resume’ but will likely go down as a one of the ten greatest NCAA Hockey coaches all-time.  In my opinion, the biggest difference between this year’s Gopher squad and the past three years which underperformed greatly is the addition of former Gopher, and former Gopher coach Mike Guentzel. Guentzel is the highest paid assistant coach in college hockey, and is the overwhelming favorite to replace Lucia when his time is done in Minnesota.  Lucia's teams have floundered without Guentzel and flourished with him.  The Gophers defense seemed like an area of concern starting the season, but has proved to be one of the best units in America this winter, with guidance of Guentzel.

The Gophers have a chance to have TWO finalist candidates for the Hobey Baker Award this spring (that is the Heisman of college hockey for Ryan Boser’s of the world). 

Nick Bjugstad is having a monster sophomore season and his 33 goals rank him 2^nd in the nation despite missing two games for World Juniors over the holiday.

Kent Patterson has logged every minute of every game in net, and has been fantastic.  He has an amazing 1.9 Goals Against average in conference play.  The big concern Gopher fans have is how will Patterson hold up down the stretch. Will he be strong in playoff time or will he wear down?

Kyle Rau is the favorite to win WCHA Freshman of the Year, with 40pts and 27 goals thus far.

Defenseman Nate Schmidt is quietly having a big point year for a blue-liner.  His 25 assists are the 2^nd most for any defenseman in the league.

The Gophers are 15-5 in the WCHA, three full points clear of defending national champ Minnesota-Duluth, and in great position to win their first McNaughton Cup since 2007.  They are 5-5 on Friday nights and 10-0 on Saturday in conference play. However, they’ve had a bad non-conference record this season at just 4-4-1.  At 19-9-1 overall, the Gophers are 2^nd in the nation with 3.72 Goals per game, and 2^nd with just 2.03 goals against. They rank 1^st and 2^nd in the major college hockey polls.  Oddly enough, there is a legitimate chance they won’t qualify for the NCAA tournament if they falter down the stretch.  College hockey uses something called the Pairwise rating to determine at-large teams for the tournament which is a formula that makes the Quarterback rating look like elementary math.  In the Pairwise, the Gophers are ranked just T-7^th, and will likely need to remain in the top 13 or so to secure a spot in the NCAA’s. 

The remaining schedule will be tough, with very difficult road series at Denver and Omaha.  The two home series include rival Wisconsin & inner-state foe Bemidji State.  The good news for playoffs is the Gophers won’t have to travel until the Frozen 4 if they make it that far.  They’ll get a home series in the first round of the WCHA tourney at Marriuci, and then travel down the road a couple of miles to the Xcel Center for the Final5 if they advance.  Then in the NCAA’s their first two games would also be in the Xcel center, meaning IF they were to reach the Frozen 4, they would play all their games in the Twin Cities from the end of February through the beginning of April.  The stars are in alignment for the Pride on Ice to hang a banner (regular season champs), or two(post season champs), or even three (ncaa champs) this year.  Of course in a one game, loser go home playoff, ANYTHING is possible good or bad.

Don Lucia’s teams hung 7 banners from 2002-2007 (2 national titles, 2 regular season titles and 3 postseason titles) but since 07 have not won any titles or advanced to the frozen 4.  They haven’t won an ncaa playoff game since 2007, and haven’t been to the frozen 4 since 2005.   The past four seasons have been as bad of a four year run as I can remember as a Gopher Hockey fan.  A great March/April run would make every Gopher puck fan forget the past four years very quickly!

Joel Maturi: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly and the Unknown

By Jason Rossow of GopherTailgate.com

Joel Maturi came to the "U" in the summer of 2002, and leaves the Gopher athletic department 10 years later with mixed results.

The Good

• Gophers won four national titles under his watch: two in women's hockey, one in men's hockey and one in wrestling
• Gopher football was brought back to campus entirely on his watch, and has the finest stadium in the nation
• No major academic scandals 
• Merged the men's and women's athletic programs under one umbrella 
• Always was accessible and would answer every e-mail ever sent

 
The Bad

• Emphasizing non-revenue sports over football/basketball/hockey (best rowing house in America)
• Not getting a basketball practice facility built
• Not getting Siebert Field upgraded quickly enough
• The handling of Trevor Mbakwe's and Royce White's legal situations
• Allowing Pam Borton to run the women's basketball team into the ground
• Marketing: not a word I believe was in Joel's vocabulary
• Extending Dan Monson and firing him in the same year
• Extending Glen Mason and firing him in the same year
• Extending Tim Brewster and firing him in the same year
• Jimmy Williams being paid $1M and never stepping foot on campus

 
The Ugly

• Glen Mason, who was a legitimate middle-of-the-road coach, was fired with no idea how he would be replaced. Maturi went against the "U," and stuck his neck out with the hiring of a tight end coach who had no head coaching or coordinator experience (Tim Brewster). He swung and missed badly. In his fourth season at the "U," Brewster's team lost a home game to a team that was only a couple of years removed from D2. He was completely ill-equipped to coach at this level, and it is 100% on Joel Maturi that the program went from mediocre and relevant to an embarrassment.

 
The Unknown

• Maturi's legacy is not done yet. The Tubby Smith hire is looking worse and worse every year, but Tubby's legacy is still being written. Jerry Kill's success or failure will also leave a lasting reflection on Joel Maturi. 

Gopher Gab: Meet the 2012 Recruiting Class

By Jason Rossow of GopherTailgate.com

The 2012 Minnesota Gopher recruiting class has a local theme, and a defensive backfield theme, and a JUCO theme. 

There are 10 kids FROM Minnesota that were given scholarships and at least another three joining the team as  “preferred walk-ons”. In the past 10 years, Minnesota players staying home have had a lot of success at Minnesota, so here’s to that trend continuing. Marion Barber, Eric Decker, Matt Spaeth, Mark Setterstrom, Ben Utecht, Thomas Tapeh, Adam Weber, Dom Barber and Marcus Sherrels are kids raised in the Gopher state who have gone on to the NFL. Looking back at recruiting classes, I couldn’t find any Gopher classes with more local kids. NDSU just won the FCS National title and beat the Gophers with a bunch of kids who were not good enough to be offered by Tim Brewster & Co. (or as I like to refer to them: Gopher rejects). In fact, no other BCS team in the country kept as many top 10 (rivals) recruits as the Gophers did in their home state with 7-of-10.  They really only lost out on one of the 10, as one kid had just moved here, and one (No. 10) wasn’t offered.

The defensive backfield was the single greatest weakness on a bad 2011 team. The biggest addition to the defensive backfield isn’t a newcomer, but rather the good news on Troy Stoudermire receiving a medical red-shirt and granted a fifth year of eligibility. There are seven defensive secondary players committed to the 2012 class and another two players listed as “athletes” that may end up back there. Three of the eight D-backs are JUCO transfers. Coach Kill said the purpose of JUCO’s is not for depth, but rather to plug an immediate need. 

Speaking of JUCO’s, there is a total of SIX in this year’s class.  For comparison the other eleven teams in the Big10 have a total of 12 (even with Indiana's six). Good teams don’t rely heavily on JUCO’s. Along with the three defensive backs, Minnesota also added a running back, defensive tackle and wide receiver from the JUCO ranks.

Overall, the national rankings are going to show a very bad recruiting class for Minnesota.  Rivals ranks Minnesota 12th out of the 12 Big10 teams and Scout ranks them 11th. Kill has won at every level he’s ever coached, and for some strange reason (i.e., drinking Gopher Kool-Aid by the gallon), I think he’ll have success at Minnesota with low-end recruits. IF, he can somehow breakthrough into a consistent winner with lesser talent, higher-rated recruits will suddenly start showing up at Minnesota. 

There are five recruits that will headline this class. Four of the five are FROM Minnesota.  Andrew McDonald out of Minnetonka was the pre-season No. 1 Minnesota recruit. He might be the most Big10-ready of the five, and could be an immediate starter at wide receiver this fall. The non-Minnesotan in the top five is another wide receiver, Jamel Harbison (ESPN 4 star) out of North Carolina. He and McDonald will battle each other and the current Gophers for immediate playing time. Jonah Pirsig might be the second largest creature in Blue Earth behind the Jolly Green Giant statue. At 6’8 and 300lbs., with agile feet, it’s easy to see why he could pretty much have named the school of his choice. Isaac Hayes (St. Thomas Academy) is an offensive guard who is listed by ESPN as one of the top 150 players in the nation!  Last but not least is my favorite recruit of the Gophers class, quarterback Phillip Nelson of Mankato. He already graduated high school and is a student at the U this spring.  Nelson posses the perfect combination of accurate passing and running ability. Tom Lemming, the most trusted recruiting name in the country, ranks Nelson as the second best QB in America.  In unrelated Gopher news, former sixth-string quarterback Moses Allipate has moved to Tight End and has lost 30 pounds. For a FULL analysis of EVERY recruit in the Minnesota class a player by player breakdown, read on.

Andre McDonald, WR

Minnetonka, Minnesota

3-STAR (Rivals), 3-STAR (Scout), 4-STAR (ESPN)

(Also Pictured Above)

6’2-6’3 / 200-210 lbs.

Offers: Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa St, Michigan St, Ohio St, UCLA, and Vanderbilt

40: 4.47-4.51 

Rivals: No. 3 recruit in Minnesota, 68th WR in the nation

Scout: 75th WR

ESPN: No. 2 in Minnesota, No. 37 WR, No. 25 region

Strengths:  Hands, Route Running, Catching in traffic

Video:  http://kstp.com/article/stories/S2470858.shtml?cat=3 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPTDxFDg688 

Jason’s Thoughts:  McDonald is very impressive on film. He should be able to compete immediately for a starting job. He reminds me of former Viking Sidney Rice in his ability to go get the ball at the right time and come down with it in traffic. He doesn’t have world-class speed, but has the perfect body to be a solid receiver at this level and possibly the next. His recruiting was a bit of a process… He committed to the Gophers early and then de-committed, saying Iowa was his leader. He then committed to Vanderbilt, and later opened his options back up. He finally chooses the “U” over UCLA and Vanderbilt as his two other finalists.

Isaac Hayes, G

Mendota Heights, Minnesota

3-STAR, 3-STAR, 4-STAR

6’2-6’3 / 270 lbs.

Offers: Virginia Tech, Boise St, Oregon St. and other Non-BCS

40: 5.1

Bench: 270 lbs.

Squat: 435 lbs.

RIVALS: No. 39 Guard, No. 59 MN recruit

SCOUT: No. 75 Guard

ESPN: No. 112 player in the nation, No. 9 Guard, No. 8 player in the region, No. 1 player in MN

Strengths: Run Blocking, Pass Blocking, Space Blocking, Toughness

Video: http://www.kfan.com/pages/gophers.html?article=8803354

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCMPtsPSmZ0 

Jason’s Thoughts:  Hayes is an ESPN top-150 recruit which is a “big deal”. At St. Thomas Academy, he was an all out stud. He seemed to do everything well for a lineman. He has good footwork, uses his hands well, and does well both run and pass blocking. He’s a touch short and needs to add strength. I see a redshirt season in 2012, and a long career and the likelihood of being a multi-year starter.

Jamel Harbison WR

Charlotte, North Carolina

3-STAR, 3-STAR, 4-STAR

5’11-6’0 / 181-191 lbs.

Offers: Clemson, North Carolina St, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and West Virginia

40: 4.8

Shuttle: 4.5

Vertical: 32.4

RIVALS: No. 28 ranked in North Carolina

SCOUT: No. 151 WR

ESPN: No. 28 ranked WR, No. 89 Regional, No. 10 State

Strengths:  Hands, Speed, Catch in Traffic, YAC

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIfzqkaQOCs 

Jason’s Thoughts:  Harbison’s commitment to the “U” never seemed locked up until signing day as he became more and more sought after later in the process. He might be listed as 5’11 and running a slowish forty time, but from his video’s Harbison is a beast. He runs routes well, has great hands, and is very good at getting yards after first contact. I look for Harbison to challenge for a starting spot immediately at the “U”.

Phillip Nelson, QB (P-S) 

Mankato, Minnesota

3-STAR, 3-STAR, 3-STAR

6’2- 6’3 / 212-216 lbs.

Offers: (none)

40: 4.48

Bench: 275

Squat: 405

Vertical: 30

GPA: 3.6

RIVALS: No. 15 Pro-Style QB in nation, No. 2 MN recruit

SCOUT: No. 46 QB in the nation

ESPN: No. 94 QB in the nation, No. 185 recruit in the region, No. 7 in the state

Strengths: Accuracy

Video: http://blogs.twincities.com/gophers/2012/01/04/incoming-gophers-qb-philip-nelson-shines-in-all-star-game/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqgWJSnqjiI 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ugihEfQBOA&feature=related 

Jason’s Thoughts: I watched Nelson play in the state semifinals last fall. He ran a more complex no huddle offense than I’ve ever seen at the Minnesota High School level. His greatest asset is his throwing motion.  He gets rid of the ball VERY quick and is pretty accurate. He also has a very good speed. Nelson graduated high school early and is already enrolled at the “U”. I see him red-shirting next fall and battling Max Shortell for the starting spot the following season. Don’t be fooled by Nelson having no other offers. Similar to Tommy Olson last year, Nelson made it clear early on that Minnesota was his choice. Tom Lemming (who is to college recruiting what Mel Kiper is to the NFL draft) ranks Nelson as the No. 2 overall QB in the country!  Nelson is originally from Wisconsin and his father played for the Badgers. 

Jonah Pirsig, OT 

Blue Earth, Minnesota

3-STAR, 3-STAR, 3-STAR

6’8"-6’9" / 290-300 lbs.

Offers: Auburn, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa St, Miami, Michigan, Michigan St, Ohio St, & Wisconsin

RIVALS: No. 6 MN recruit

SCOUT: No. 35 OT

ESPN: No. 52 OT, No. 43 recruit in the region, No. 4 in the state

Strengths: Run blocking/Toughness

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL9Xws9dkSU 

Jason’s Thoughts: Pirsig was an important recruit in that he is a Minnesota kid staying home, and choose MN over other finalists Iowa & Wisconsin. Losing home grown talent to USC or Notre Dame doesn’t hurt nearly as much as lining up across from them the next four years in your rival's uniform. Thankfully, Pirsig will be wearing the right colors! When watching film on Pirsig it’s easy to see why he could have basically picked his school of choice. He’s 6’8, with a wide frame, and is surprisingly very light on his feet. Playing at Blue Earth he didn’t see much for competition, however. Pirsig excelled at run-blocking, and I believe will one day anchor the left tackle spot. He needs a good year or two working on building strength and technique and the sky is the limit for his body.

Jack Lynn, OLB 

Lake Zurich, Illinois

3-STAR, 3-STAR, 2-STAR

6’2"-6’3" / 205 lbs.

Offers: Many Non-BCS D1 schools

RIVALS: No. 27 state

SCOUT: No. 102 OLB

ESPN: No. 171 OLB, No. 349 Regional, No. 52nd State

Strengths: Tackling

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sn0si0CPmc

Jason’s Thoughts: Lynn played WR and DE in high school. He will be used by the Gophers likely at OLB. I think he’ll almost certainly red-shirt to add size to his frame. He has a good sized body, and has a great motor on the field (theme with Kill’s recruits), but I think he lacks the skill to be a solid player in the near future.

Jordan Hinojosa, DT 

Miami, Florida

3-STAR, 2-STAR, 2-STAR

6’3" / 265-275 lbs.

Offers: Michigan State, Wake Forest, West Virginia

40: 5.23

Shuttle: 5.79

Vertical: 23inches

SCOUT: No. 111 DT

ESPN: No. 133 DT, No. 730 regional, No. 262 state

Strengths: Pursuit

Jason’s Thoughts: I really like Hinojosa. He plays EXTREMELY hard, and has great height and size already. He has a nice offer list as well. Look for a redshirt season to work on technique and add strength, and then we could see a lot of Hinojosa the next 4 years.

Nick Rallis, S 

Edina, Minnesota

3-STAR, 3-STAR, 2-STAR

5’11"-6’0" / 200-205 lbs.

RIVALS: No. 9 ranked MN player

SCOUT: No. 66 OLB

ESPN: No. 119 safety, No. 228 region, No. 10 state

Strengths: Zone Coverage/Run Support

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLKeHmKMkG4 

Jason’s Thoughts: Nick is the brother of starting linebacker Mike Rallis. Nick had actually committed to Brewster’s staff many moons ago. Rallis is a very tough kid that played both ways at Edina. He reminds me a LOT of his brother minus the hair. He is going to be either a safety or OLB at the next level. He lacks all the measurables to be recruited by high-end programs.

Lincoln Plsek, DE

Waco, Texas

3-STAR, 2-STAR, 3-STAR

6’3"-6’4" / 235-240 lbs.

40: 4.7

Offers: Air Force, Army, Rice, Stephen F Austin

ESPN: No. 102 DE, No. 174 Region, No. 135 State

Strengths: Run Defense

Jason’s Thoughts:  Plsek played both ways in HS, and could end up at TE for the Gophers.  I still see him being given a shot mainly at DE, however. A typical Kill-type recruit yet again… not overly flashy, but makes plays, and is another lunch bucket type of player.

K.J. Maye, Athlete

Mobile, Alabama

3-STAR, 2-STAR, 3-STAR

5’10" / 175-193 lbs.

Offers: Kentucky and many non-BCS teams

ESPN: No. 95 athlete, No. 36 state, No. 426 region

Strengths: Versatility

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHwgW8dSM8c 

Jason’s Thoughts: He played QB in High School and actually looks like he could play QB at small D1 or D2 school. He will come to the Gophers as either a DB, or more likely a slot receiver. He is very quick and elusive, but has a VERY small frame. His high school film reminds me most of current Gopher Troy Stoudermire, who also was a HS QB. However, Stoudermire, although short, has much more solid build. His video on youtube is long, but the first play at the 30-to-38 second mark is worth the watch.

Rodrick Williams Jr., RB

Lewisville, Texas

3-STAR, 2-STAR, 2-STAR

5’10"- 5’11" / 215-220 lbs.

Offers: Iowa, Utah

SCOUT: No. 138 RB

ESPN: No. 88 RB, No. 279 region, No. 222 state

Strengths: Power, Hands

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg5fRsMF2Bo

Jason’s Thoughts: Williams Jr. reminds me of current Gopher Donnell Kirkwood.  He is the short and stocky build and keeps his legs moving. He also catches the ball well out the backfield. His speed isn’t real good for Big10 level, and for a bruising type of back needs a little more strength. I see him red-shirting, with starting potential in his upperclassman years. Side note: Williams is a top-rated Heavyweight Wrestler in Texas.

Mitch Leidner, QB (P-S) 

Lakeville, Minnesota

2-STAR, 3-STAR, 2-STAR

6’4"-6’4.5" / 220-225 lbs.

40: 4.9

Bench: 270

Squat: 350

Scout: No. 56 QB

ESPN: No. 110 QB, No. 224 Region, No. 9 state

Strengths: Reads

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPwNutO00jA 

Jason’s Thoughts: Leidner also graduated HS early and is enrolled at the “U” and will take part in spring practice. He has great size, and is tough to bring down. He seems a little robotic and not overly smooth throwing. With his great size, if he can’t work his way up the QB depth chart, he would likely be moved to Tight End.

Antonio Johnson, S 

Cleveland, Ohio

3-STAR, 2-STAR, 2-STAR

5’11"-6’0" / 185-190 lbs.

40: 4.5

Vertical: 35 inches

Offers: Akron, Ball St, Buffalo, Eastern Mich, Kent St., Toledo

Rivals: No. 43 Safety

Scout: No. 180 OLB

ESPN: No.132 state, No. 157 safety, No. 307 region

Strength: Run support

Video: http://cleveland.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1307289 

Jason’s Thoughts: Johnson committed to Ball St. prior to having a Gopher offer. Johnson also played RB in high school. I am high on Johnson and think he could be a solid defender for the Gophers.  Of course, all these D1 prospects look like studs when you’re the most athletic kid on the field. But Johnson looks the part of a legit safety.

Maxx Williams, TE

Waconia, Minnesota

3-STAR, 3-STAR, Unranked

6’3"-6’4" / 220-225 lbs.

40: 4.75

Bench: 305

Shuttle: 4.27

Vertical: 33 inches

GPA: 3.6

RIVALS: No. 7 MN

SCOUT: No. 49 Tight End

Jason’s Thoughts: Yet another Minnesota kid committed to the Gophers. He’s intriguing to me as his name Maxx has two x’s, and he looks like Sherman from the American Pie series.  Williams looks a bit small on the field. He shows good leaping ability and good hands. I think Williams ends up starting at TE for the Gophers at some point.

Scott Ekpe, DT 

Lewisville, Texas

2-STAR, 2-STAR, 2-STAR

6’3"-6’4" / 250-265 lbs.

40: 4.8

Bench: 310

Squat: 515

SCOUT: No. 175 DE

ESPN: No.142 Position, No. 339 region, No. 267 state

Strengths: Lateral Range, Pass Rushing, Size

Jason’s Thoughts:  Ekpe played the nose in a 3-4 in HS. He has a frame to be a DT in college. He is a long ways from being a viable DT in the Big10 and will need lots of coaching and time in the weight room. Fortunately, Ekpe joins Nelson and Leidner as December high school grads and will get an extra spring practice session with the team.

Alex Keith, DE 

Columbia, Missouri

2-STAR, 2-STAR, 2-STAR

6’3"-6’4" / 205-235 lbs.

ESPN: No. 192 position, No. 313 region, No. 19 state

Strengths: Pursuit

Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZbjnb7FSm8

Jason’s Thoughts: Yet another Kill recruit with a good “motor”.  He also has a nice frame for a DE. He seems like he plays a little tight and upright, but hopefully some good coaching will help with that.

Duke Anyanwu, Athlete/WR

Blaine, Minnesota

3-STAR, 2-STAR, 1-STAR

6’2"-6’4" / 200-225 lbs.

40: 4.96

Shuttle: 4.95

Vertical: 26.0

Offer: Air Force

Scout: No. 291 WR

ESPN: No. 289 WR, No. 17 state, No. 392 region

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFz3NIFudrc 

Jason’s Thoughts: Anyanwu lined up everywhere in HS including QB, RB, WR & LB/Safety.  While he looks like a man amongst boys on film, he is pretty slow for a D1 receiver. It will be a work in progress no matter what position he ends up at. Anyanwu is very young and not highly recruited. He may end up gray-shirting, meaning he doesn’t start with the football team officially until Jan. 2013, leaving him five years to play four at that point. Basically fudging the NCAA rules and getting two years to red-shirt.

Roland Johnson, DT

Butler Community College (South Carolina)

3-STAR, 2-STAR, Unranked

6’1"-6’2" / 285-295 lbs.

Offers: Indiana, other non-BCS schools

Strengths: Disruptiveness

Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omlne-0JFVk 

Jason’s Thoughts: Johnson has less than ideal size for the D-Tackle. His height and arms length could limit his success. Like so many of Kill’s recruits, is known for a hard work ethic and relentless motor. As a JUCO will provide immediate depth on the D-line. He could even be used at DE.

Briean Boddy, CB

Coffeyville Kansas Community College

3-STAR, 2-STAR, Unranked

5’11" / 175 lbs.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLyDZmSk5Nc

Jason’s Thoughts: He has three years of eligibility remaining, had four picks and three fumbles recovered last fall as well as was a key return man for Coffeyville. I like JUCO transfers a lot more that have three years vs. two. 

James Gillum, RB

Perkinston Mississippi Gulf Coast CC

3-STAR, 2-STAR, Unranked

5’11" / 195 lbs.

Offers: Louisiana Tech

Jason’s Thoughts: Gillum was recruited by Kill’s staff at Northern Illinois out of high school.  He ran for over 1,000 yards in both of his seasons at Miss Gulf Coast CC. Gillum might be the most impactful recruit of the class next season. He could end up on the bench or be the No. 1 RB—I’m not sure where he’ll stack up.

Martez Shabazz, CB

Athens, Texas (Trinity Valley CC)

3-STAR, 2-STAR, Unranked

5’10"- 5’11" / 165-170 lbs.

Offers: Baylor & Non BCS Schools

40: 4.36

Jason’s Thoughts: Shabazz was clocked as the fastest player for all defensive players by ESPN. He has two years of eligibility remaining and will compete immediately for a starting corner position. I have not seen video of Shabazz.

Damarius Travis, S

Pensacola, Florida

3-STAR, 2-STAR, Unranked

6’1" / 185-194 lbs.

40: 4.67

Shuttle: 4.75

Vertical: 27.9

Offers: Florida International, Western Michigan

Jason’s Thoughts: No video, but based on the Gophers secondary, depth is great. And Florida HS experience is a plus, too.

Youshoub Timss, DT

Fort Walton Beach, Florida

2-STAR, Unranked, 3-STAR

6’2" / 260-270 lbs.

Offers: Syracuse & many non-BCS teams

ESPN: No. 83 Position, No. 171 State, No. 497 region

Strengths: Strength (funny)

Jason’s Thoughts: He lined up at end a lot in his video and clearly doesn’t have the body shape or speed to be an end in college. The good news is he appears very strong. He has a lot of technique refining, and adding 20-30lbs to be a solid DT producer in the Big10. From his interview he seems like a great kid!

Jeremy Baltazar, CB

Brenham, Texas (Blinn CC)

2-STAR, 2-STAR, Unranked

6’0" / 195-196 lbs.

40: 4.4-4.5

Bench: 365

Squat: 425

Shuttle: 4.32

Offers: 2 Non-BCS

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2OhYNFaQCk 

Jason’s Thoughts: Baltazar is projected as a cornerback, but has the strength and size to move to safety if needed. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Isaac Fruechte, WR

Rochester CC

2-STAR, 2-STAR, Unranked

6’2"-6’3" / 205-210 lbs.

40: 4.4

Bench: 270

Squat: 400

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTJ8RxT_3EM

Jason’s Thoughts: Fruechte graduated from Caladonia, Minnesota and played one season at RCTC. He sat out this season allowing him three years of eligibility at the “U”. I am very excited about Fruechte and think he will do surprisingly well. He’s also the roommate of Phillip Nelson, which reminds me of the last two Minnesota kids that were QB/WR roommates, Weber and Decker.

Eric Murray, CB
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

2-STAR, 2-STAR, Unranked

5’11"-6’0" / 173-180 lbs.

Rivals: No. 4 ranked player in Wisconsin

Jason’s Thoughts: Murray ranks as the No. 4 prospect out of Wisconsin and is a low profile recruit, which shows that Minnesota High School football is superior to the Drunken Sconnies.  No video of Murray.

Ben Lauer, OT
Plymouth, Minnesota

Unranked, 2-STAR, Unranked

6’6"-6’7" / 260-270 lbs.

Offers: North Dakota, North Dakota St.

Scout: No. 169 OT

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF57t9QcQuU

Jason’s Thoughts: Another local kid with great size. It took me half way through his video to figure out who was being highlighted (not a good thing). But with his frame, and a good work ethic, he could be a factor down the road.